A director enjoying 'Kabaddi'

Rambabu has not studied film related subjects. Took the workshop, read the book. By the time I thought of making a film, I was already immersed in the basic aspects of writing. As soon as he came to Kathmandu, he increased his association with writers. However, because he did not have the courage to write the first film, he asked poet Shravan Mukarung to write 'Anagarik'. He got the idea of ​​script writing while sitting in the discussion of the writing of that film. After writing the

short film, he got the courage. Around that time, he went to visit Mustang to film. At the time, the visuals of the Mustang pulled. What kind of story can be told in that geographical area? While searching, the story of the Thakali community was found. He wanted to enter a different subject, wanted to say something new in the market, accordingly 'Kabaddi' was prepared in the love story of Solti and Soltini. After Kabaddi became a commercial hit, he could not stay without writing for new films. At the beginning of

writing, he does not feel professional pressure. Like, had to write a series of 'Kabaddi'. The director has to pay attention to what aspect the audience is liking in this series. It does not make sense to tell a terrible story. Instead, another film was made on a new subject. He says that he has been writing Kabaddi series due to the demand of the audience. It will have a professional goal. He thought of making only the first and second editions of Kabaddi if there was no demand from the audience for

. They say how much they are stretching when they reach the fourth series. However, there are other viewers like us who keep saying that we want to see it made. That's why the kabaddi series is being made," he said.

When it came to the 12th film 'Degree Milea', the taste of this brand went down a bit. Why? If you dig into the creative side, there are many reasons. He says that 'Degree Milea' has taught me many things while enjoying a kind of 'comfort zone'. I am satisfied. Yes, I have made some mistakes in the film. However, I learned how to improve myself, not to repeat the mistakes made in this project. If you always climb uphill, you never know where you will fall," he says.

director Rambabu Gurung . Photos : Deepak KC/Kantipur

film 'Degree Maila' is a fun and interesting character in itself. A character who gossips about only one degree. The disparity between politics and education was tried to be satirized through degrees. Why did the audience not like the film? Rambabu does not have a definite answer. From a commercial point of view, the film will be made by guessing about the topics that the audience is following and entertaining. No filmmaker would have failed if he knew that the audience would like it if he made it exactly like this,” he said. He works on the story he wants to work on, how to get more viewers. "If you start working on what works for the business, you may get different results," he said.

Rambabu understands that film is a business. Nepal's market is small. The challenge is to make a film on a low budget. He has experience working in the midst of that challenge. If the film does business of 15 crores, if it does business of 20 crores, the news is coming. That is a matter of happiness. However, if the film does not run, the exhibition expenses will not be raised. There is a possibility that the loan will also be increased," he said. "Now, if the domestic market is not hit, the demand will not come from the market outside the country."

In every film, he is marketing himself as a new filmmaker. What can be given in a new story, a new taste and a new way? They make films with this in mind. According to him, the market is now looking for character, taste in subjects, cultural and community aspects. It seems that the market is interested in the things that seem out of the mainstream. From the east came the 'Jari' of the Limbu community, from the west the 'gharzwai' of Magar. That film is getting a kind of audience. Jamaat is also liking that this is our story, our subject. He finds that the general audience is also looking for similar topics. He has his own rules for

writing. They don't sit down to write until the draft is ready. It will take time to discuss and study the topic, but once the outline comes to mind, Khururu starts writing. After the character, what has to be said, the more the script is written, the more it will be erased. That's why it takes time for me to make a blueprint,'' he says about his writing style, 'My nature is slow, so script writing takes time.'

Now whether he is a film student or a contemporary filmmaker, he is sharing his experience even in his scripts. You write or make something. At the beginning, you should have creative qualities," he says, "those who have a PhD in film have not been able to write a film. Therefore, the formula of writing is not just memorized. It is important to understand where those formulas help in reading the story.' He argues that for the development of the level of

Nepali films, attention should be paid to writing. Stating that there is a lack of writers in the Nepali film industry, he says, 'Until now, there is an environment of working with skilled manpower in various parts of the film industry. However, it seems to be lacking in writing. Rambabu does not make many films for other than his company. However, in the midst of Covid, I had to 'plant flowers'. What will be the mood of the film after covid? There was confusion about how to make the film. Meanwhile, Kamal Kishore Malpani's team arrived with an offer for a new film. Even if it was for his own team, Ram had to make a 'flower garden'. Even though 'Phoolbari' was not liked critically, the film received good support from the audience.

While creating 'Kabaddi', Ram Babu was free from the pressure of the market, from the influence of his friends. However, when it came to 'Phoolbari', it came to the point that if a good company is investing in a film, it should consider its responsibility and make the film. Did 'saili' for friends. There was no work during Covid, he made a 'flower garden' for the team.

Independently created 'Kabaddi', the business came to be connected. Since then, Sathya Rambabu admits that his films have been leaning towards the commercial side. Professionally, he continues to work in its series to preserve the legacy of 'Kabaddi'. Meanwhile, he is doing other films. In terms of investment, they are also adding to the projects of their friends.

'Kabaddi' is the main addiction of Rambabu's film career. This film introduced him to the market. There are also friends who say, "If you don't know how to make a film, why not just make a series of kabaddi?" Saying that, I cannot ignore the demand of the audience. So I keep making Kabaddi series. This is how I live,' he said.

When will Ram be freed from the pressure of the business, who is knowingly colliding with the market and making films? The day the audience stops liking my style and taste. Then I must be displaced. The market has its own demand. So I have to understand the society, the audience and move forward with updates. I should not just make it so that only Kabaddi is running, it also has a certain lifespan in the market,” he said.

Rambabu, who has proved himself in the domestic market, is now targeting the international market as well. Recently, he was involved in director Naveen Subba's film 'Gaon Anya Bato' and has also invested in Deepak Rauniyar's 'Pooja Sir'. He is not involved in these films for profit.

'If films like this, which have made a mark in the international market, get only 100 viewers in the domestic market because of me, then why not? I just want to be a fellow traveler in the efforts they are making to go to the international market. This is a handshake,' he said.